It was only a matter of time before the ferocious warriors of the LOTR universe made their debut in the language of anime. Director Kenji Kamiyama launches into the world of the Rohirrim (otherwise known as the Riders of Rohan). Hera (Gaia Wise, daughter of Emma Thompson in the real world) is the daughter of the redoubtable Rohan king Helm Hammerhand (Brian Cox). Freca (a renegade lord) and his son Wulf (Luca Pasqualino) find themselves at the wrong end of a rebellion - Freca loses his life and the banished Wulf launches a retaliatory attack from Isengard on the Rohan stronghold of Hornburg (soon to be called Helm's Deep). The feisty Hera leads the Rohirrim into a battle and the last stand sets the stage for much valor of old. For a movie in simple anime format the execution is a delight - one of tomboyish fair and fierce maidens and brave warriors with flowing hair reminiscent of the samurai. With cameos by the eagles, Saruma, Gandalf (of sorts) and the Mumlak among many other, The Lord of the Rings - The War of the Rohirrim is a sheer delight for fans of the Tolkien universe who also get by with anime
16/20